Feb. 12, 2008
SAN DIEGO - San Diego State women's soccer head coach Mike Friesen announced the signing Tuesday of eight talented student-athletes to National Letters of Intent. Coach Friesen emphasized defense in his first-ever recruiting class, adding four backs and a goalkeeper to a list which also features an NSCAA High School All-American and a three-time all-CIF honoree.
"We have a group of players that has the ability to push our team to the next level," Friesen said. "The current team has done a great job of creating incredible team chemistry and has a fantastic work ethic. If the 2008 class can join that group in attitude and work rate, the 2008 season could be a very exciting year for us.
"I am very pleased with the quality of players that are coming in, but even more pleased with the quality of people that they are. I am excited for them to be here and looking forward to working with this group for the next four years."
Leading off the list of newcomers is Megan Allaire (Walnut, Calif.), who was a standout goalkeeper at Walnut High, posting a 0.65 goals-against average as a senior to go along with 16 shutouts.
"Megan is tall at 5-10 and will compete for a spot on the field," Friesen said. "She has the qualities that could make for a solid Division I goalkeeper."
Gretel Amman (Santa Rosa, Calif.), a defender, comes to San Diego State after an illustrious career at Montgomery High. After collecting the North Bay League's most valuable player award as a junior in 2006, Amman garnered NSCAA all-Region honors as a senior and was a first-team all-Redwood Empire selection. In addition to her prep success, Amman also brings winning experience to the Scarlet and Black after competing for the Santa Rosa United Freeze club team that captured the state cup in 2007.
"Gretel is an athletic center back, who has the ability to play central or wide on defense," Friesen said. "She reads the game exceptionally well and is very good at organizing her team."
Taylor Canatsey (Garden Grove, Calif.), a heavily decorated forward at Pacifica High in Orange County, was a three-time all-CIF selection and all-Empire League honoree. She also led the conference in scoring on three occasions and served as team captain during her junior and senior seasons. Canatsey also has club experience on her résumé after playing for the nationally ranked SoCal Blues U17 team.
"Taylor is a technical striker who understands how to work to find space," Friesen said. "She is good at creating chances for herself and is a very good finisher."
Julia Flores (Alta, Utah) was a first-team all-state selection as a sweeper during her junior and senior seasons at Alta High and was also named the Division 5A most valuable player in 2007. A four-year varsity letterwinner, Flores helped Alta High to a 71-8 overall record, while capturing state championships in 2004, 2006 and 2007. She also played for the Utah Avalanche club team which won three state titles and was ranked ninth in the nation.
"Julia is another very technical player who has spent a lot of time on the back line," Friesen said. "I believe Julia will be able to contribute in a variety of places, because she is very good on the ball and reads the game exceptionally well."
Tiffany Hurst (Santa Rosa, Calif.) is another highly acclaimed prep player, who was a teammate of fellow recruit Gretel Amman at Montgomery High. In 2007, Hurst capped off her senior season in style, landing on the NSCAA High School All-America roster after earning first-team all-Redwood Empire honors and capturing the North Bay League's most valuable player award. She was also a member of the Santa Rosa United Freeze club team that won the state championship in 2007.
"Tiffany is a very technical, hard working player who has split her time in the defense and midfield," Friesen said. "She is a tireless worker who can have a major impact on both ends of the field. I expect Tiffany to play in the midfield for us."
SDSU landed its third recruit from Sonoma County with the addition of Megan McQueeny (Rohnert Park, Calif.), a celebrated defender out of Ursuline High. A three-time all-North Bay League honoree, McQueeny was named the Redwood Empire's co-player of the year in 2007 by the Santa Rosa Press-Democrat after helping the Bears to the CIF North Coast Section semifinals. She was also a teammate of fellow Aztec signees Tiffany Hurst and Gretel Amman on the Santa Rosa United Freeze club team that captured the state cup in 2007. McQueeny, Hurst and Amman anchored the defense for the SRU Freeze, which did not allow a goal during its title run.
"Megan is an athletic central defender who has all of the tools to be an even better college soccer player," Friesen said. "She is a very physical defender with the ability to play her way out of trouble."
Jaime Nelson (Sandy, Utah) is the second newcomer from the Beehive State to sign with the Aztecs in 2008. Nelson, a four-year letterwinner at Brighton High, was a first-team Division 5A honoree in 2007 and played on the Bengals' state championship team as a sophomore in 2005. Nelson was also member of the Utah Avalanche club team, along with Julia Flores, that captured state titles in 2004, 2006 and 2007.
"Jaime is a technical central midfielder who does a great job keeping the ball moving," Friesen said. "She rarely gets caught in possession and is good in tight spaces."
Rounding out this year's class is Jackie Spinner (Danville, Calif.), a defender who helped Monte Vista High to the CIF North Coastal Section finals in 2007. Monte Vista also captured the East Bay Athletic League championship for three straight years and achieved a No. 8 national ranking during the 2007-08 campaign. As a senior, Spinner was part of a defense that shut out four opponents en route to the prestigious Nolan Showcase title in Fort Worth, Texas. She also competed for the Mustang Mavericks U16 club team, which won the state cup in 2002, 2005 and 2007.
"Jackie is an athletic defender with good size," Friesen said. "She is tenacious and seems to get better every time I see her play."
San Diego State compiled a 9-8-3 record during the 2007 campaign, finishing second in the Mountain West Conference with a 4-2-1 mark in league action.
2008 San Diego State Women's Soccer Signing Class
Megan Allaire, GK (Walnut, Calif,/Walnut HS)
Gretel Amman, D (Santa Rosa, Calif./Montgomery HS)
Taylor Canatsey, F (Garden Grove, Calif./Pacifica HS)
Julia Flores, D (Alta, Utah/Alta HS)
Tiffany Hurst, MF (Santa Rosa, Calif./Montgomery HS)
Megan McQueeny, D (Rohnert Park, Calif./Ursuline HS)
Jamie Nelson, MF (Sandy, Utah/Brighton HS)
Jackie Spinner, D (Danville, Calif./Monte Vista HS)